METHODS OF STRUCTURAL SAFETY (Dover Civil and Mechanical Engineering)

Uncertainties about analytical models | fluctuations in loads | and variability of material properties contribute to the small but real probability of structure failures. This advanced engineering text describes methods developed to deal with stochastic aspects of structural behavior | providing a framework for evaluating | comparing | and combining stochastic effects.Starting with the general problem of consistent evaluation of the reliability of structures | the text proceeds to examination of the second-moment reliability index methods that describe failure in terms of one or more limit states. It presents first-order reliability methods for computation of failure probabilities for individual limit states and for systems; and it illustrates identification of the design parameters most affecting reliability. Additional subjects include a self-contained presentation of extreme-value theory and stochastic processes; stationary | evolutionary | and nonlinear aspects of stochastic response of structures; a stochastic approach to material fatigue damage and crack propagation; and stochastic models for several natural and manufactured loads.